Analyzing+an+Essay

Read your essay and discuss it with your group members.

On a piece of paper:

1. Identify the theme of the essay (what is the big idea; what does the writer want you to remember?)

2. Identify the thesis (what one sentence states the theme of the whole essay?)

3. List some of the arguments, facts, or statistics the writer used to support his/her thesis:

4. What was the tone of the essay (serious, humorous, sarcastic, playful, etc)?

5. Did you agree with the writer's thesis? Why or why not?

6. On your own, please write a brief summary of the essay.